Posted!

Join the Conversation

Comments

Welcome to our new and improved comments, which are for subscribers only.
This is a test to see whether we can improve the experience for you.
You do not need a Facebook profile to participate.

You will need to register before adding a comment.
Typed comments will be lost if you are not logged in.

Please be polite.
It's OK to disagree with someone's ideas, but personal attacks, insults, threats, hate speech, advocating violence and other violations can result in a ban.
If you see comments in violation of our community guidelines, please report them.

Cheat sheet advance for Nevada-New Mexico, including keys to the game and a prediction

Here are the probable starters, keys to the game and a prediction for the Wolf Pack basketball team's game at New Mexico on Saturday night at The Pit.

NEVADA at NEW MEXICO

When: Saturday, 5:05 p.m.

Where: The Pit

Radio/TV: 94.5 FM/NBC Sports Network

PROBABLE STARTERS

New Mexico (18-3, 5-1 MWC)

Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr. PPG/RPG/APG

Kendall Williams G 6-4 185 Jr. 14.0/3.8/4.5

Hugh Greenwood G 6-3 205 So. 7.4/5.3/2.4

Tony Snell G 6-7 200 Jr. 12.0/2.3/2.6

Cameron Bairstow F 6-9 250 Jr. 8.0/4.7/0.5

Alex Kirk C 7-0 250 So. 11.3/7.5/0.3

Nevada (11-9, 2-4 MWC)

Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr. PPG/RPG/APG

Deonte Burton G 6-1 190 Jr. 16.5/2.2/3.2

Malik Story G 6-5 215 Sr. 15.5/3.5/2.4

Jordan Burris G 6-7 200 Jr. 7.4/4.2/1.6

Jerry Evans Jr. G 6-8 210 Jr. 8.3/5.8/1.4

Kevin Panzer F 6-9 225 Jr. 4.3/4.2/0.5

FOUR KEYS TO THE GAME

1. Match the physicality: New Mexico is the MWC’s most physical team (along with Colorado State). The Wolf Pack better be ready for a rough and tumble game. The Lobos are going to make this one a slugfest. If Nevada isn’t ready to match the Lobos’ mental and physical toughness, this game could be a round-one knockout.

2. Keep Kirk off post: If New Mexico’s 7-foot center, Alex Kirk, is able to get low-post touches he’s going to score. Nevada needs to front Kirk and keep him away from close-range touches. The Lobos like to work inside-out through Kirk. If the Wolf Pack can limit his post touches, New Mexico will likely struggle offensively.

3. Defend without fouling: New Mexico scores 27.5 percent of its points from the free-throw line, the second-highest mark in the NCAA. The Lobos are pretty limited offensively. If Nevada can defend without fouling, it should be able to hang in this game. If New Mexico parades to the line, the Wolf Pack’s task is even tougher.

4. Eight turnovers or fewer: Turnovers killed Nevada in its loss to UNLV earlier this week. If the Wolf Pack is going to spring a road upset against the MWC’s elite it will have to play near flawless basketball. That starts with turnovers. New Mexico creates 14.2 turnovers per game. Nevada has to stay well below that figure.

PREDICTION

Murray says: Offensively speaking, these teams are similar statistically. Both teams play at the same pace, both are reliant on getting to the free-throw line and both have generally struggled this year. The difference is the defense where New Mexico is elite and Nevada is average. Given the Lobos’ offensive struggles, the Wolf Pack has a chance if Deonte Burton or Malik Story explodes. But it’s not wise to bet against New Mexico at The Pit. New Mexico 66, Nevada 56